The SNAD snap components product line, developed by YKK Snap Fasteners America Inc. (YSU), is ideal for attaching add-on applications or accessories to materials handling equipment including forklifts, pallet racks, shelving, carts, mini load automated storage retrieval systems, and handling robots. Originally created for the marine industry, these fasteners have a unique dome shape, and they come in either an automotive grade of plastic or a flexible base silicone. They also contain a pad of 3M™, VHB™ acrylic conformable foam adhesive on their underside that enables them to stick to most high energy surfaces without having to drill a hole.

Since OSHA regulations do not permit holes to be drilled into materials handling equipment, these snap fasteners are great for attaching add-on applications. For example, safety shields, lighting, alarms and RF antennae can be mounted onto forklift roll bar cages using the SNAD snap components. Installation is a snap! No tools are needed. All one must do is simply clean the surface to which the snap is to be applied, peel off the protective paper backing, position and firmly hold the snap in place and release. And installation can be accomplished at a 1/10th the cost of a fabricated metal bracket or mounting.

The plastic snap fasteners and the flexible base silicone adhesive snap fasteners can be used together. The flexible base silicone adhesive snaps are specifically designed to work best on convex and concave surfaces such as the inside and outside of a metal tube. They also attach to layered surfaces where different levels of framing come together.

The plastic snap fasteners are incorporated into a 40 mm diameter low profile, plastic dome, while the flexible base silicone adhesive snaps are incorporated into a 25 mm diameter low profile, silicone dome. Both the plastic snap fasteners and the flexible base silicone adhesive snap fasteners can also be used in marine, as well as many other applications including RVs, ATVs, medical, signage, awnings, promotional displays, and trade show exhibits.

The plastic and flexible base silicone snaps’ snap on/off lifecycle exceeds that of hook & loop closures. And since there are no moving parts, the snap action is more consistent over thousands of connections than conventional metal snaps. SNAD fasteners are also available as either a stud or socket, and they come in black, white, gray or custom colors.

For more information on the plastic adhesive snap components or the flexible base silicone adhesive snap components and other YKK Snap Fasteners America Products, contact Rod Helwig at 502/839-2297 or rodh@ykksnap-america.com.